Head of Data Governance 

Full-time, Permanent

Hybrid role - based from either Bristol or London

The Role

The Head of Data Governance will serve as a strategic and operational leader responsible for developing, implementing, and managing Bupa Dental Care’s (BDC) data governance framework. This role will play a pivotal role in ensuring data integrity, security, compliance, and usability across the business while driving data quality, consistency, and maturity through a robust. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, Risk and broader Bupa business units, they will establish and enforce governance policies and best practices that align with Bupa’s strategic goals. This role demands a balance of strategic vision, operational expertise, and strong communication skills to foster a data-driven culture and ensure regulatory compliance while enabling innovation.

Our Vision for Data is to unlock the full potential of our data—driving smarter decisions, empowering our people and creating lasting impact for our customers.   In this role you will be at the forefront of transforming Dentistry at Bupa, harnessing the power of Data, Analytics and AI within a rapidly growing business. You will be a key member of the Data & Analytics leadership team working across the BDC and Market Unit Executive team to influence, inspire and to challenge how we use data.

Responsibilities

Data Governance 

• Work with the MU Data Governance Team to develop and implement data governance frameworks, policies, and standards across BDC, with a particular focus on clinical data and its safe, ethical, and compliant use.
• Responsible to help create governance structures within BDC to support data governance activities including defining stewardship and ownership models and their responsibilities.
• Responsible in ensuring we can meet data-related regulatory compliance requirements.
• Identify, define, escalate and support the resolution of issues related to data access, data quality, regulatory compliance, data ownership, policy, standards, terminology, or data governance procedures.
• Establish and maintain governance artefacts such as data dictionaries, data lineage, and metadata standards to improve transparency and control of clinical and operational data
• Chair or actively contribute to data governance forums and working groups, ensuring decisions are documented, communicated, and actioned
• Monitor and improve data quality by identifying issues, coordinating remediation efforts, and embedding controls into business-as-usual processes, with a focus on clinical data integrity.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of data governance initiatives and report progress to senior stakeholders.
• Support the adoption of modern data platforms and tooling by ensuring governance requirements, particularly for clinical data, are integrated into design and delivery.

Collaboration and Relationships 

• Work with the BDC and MU Tech and Data teams to drive the Data Governance Quality agenda forward.
• Demonstrate credibility and always have straightforward professional communication, being transparent and open about challenges and successes.
• Display strong gravitas to work across Data, Tech and the business both in BDC and the Market Unit
• Maintain positive relationships with business users and constantly assess user feedback to make necessary improvements.
• Manage and mentor the data governance team
• Develop and build strategic relationships with external parties (software vendors, research companies, industry bodies, and strategic partners) to ensure the definition and delivery of data governance is future proofed and in line with industry best-practice
• Build and
• Work closely with the Market Unit DG Team and represent BDC at key governance, risk and change forums across the Market Unit

Leadership 

• Operate with a large degree of ownership and a self-reliant mindset, able to decide how and when to involve senior stakeholders
• Demonstrate great leadership and relationship management that delivers results through effective teamwork and communication and strong stakeholder connections.
• Lead, coach and develop members of the Data Governance team,
• Take ownership for your own development, proactively seeking out feedback to build self-awareness; you’ll prioritise the development of those around you and will take an active role in creating other future leaders
• Accountable for hiring real talent in the field of the data governance and quality
• Promote data fluency and awareness through training, communication, and stakeholder engagement to foster a culture of data responsibility

Strategy 

• Support and challenge our data strategy to support the business meet its strategic priorities over the next 3-5 years.
• Own and continually evolve our data governance approach, covering technology, people, process and a milestone roadmap.
• Responsible for driving data usage in decision making and promoting a data-driven culture across the enterprise
• Contribute to the development of the BDC data roadmap and strategic planning by surfacing governance priorities and opportunities.

Skills/Experience

Essential:

• Significant experience leading data governance, management, and quality teams, ideally within healthcare, retail, or regulated sectors, with a strong understanding of governance principles, frameworks (e.g. DAMA, DMBOK), and best practices.
• Proven ability to establish and implement Data Governance Frameworks, embedding stewards, owners, and forums, and taking the business on a change journey.
• Familiarity with data privacy and protection regulations (e.g. GDPR) and their application in clinical and operational settings.
• Skilled in data governance tools, metadata management, and data cataloguing platforms, with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills to influence and collaborate across technical and non-technical teams.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable value through DG initiatives, developing individuals through clear progression programmes, and effectively engaging senior/executive stakeholders on data use.
• Experience building Communities of Practice to promote engagement and best practices, and managing remote teams in fast-paced, autonomous environments.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting modern data platforms or cloud-based data ecosystems.
• Degree or equivalent experience in data management, health informatics, information systems, or related fields.
• Background in healthcare, insurance, or other highly regulated industries, with exposure to Agile or hybrid delivery environments.
• Passion for promoting data literacy and embedding a culture of data responsibility.

Benefits

The benefits here are industry-leading, and we’ll be able to tell you more about them in the process (or jump to the benefits and rewards page on our careers site for a flavour). But here’s a snapshot:

• 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy more.
• Discounts in over 7,000 retailers, discounted gym membership and discounted dental insurance (of course).
• Health Trust - our bespoke employee private healthcare plan, providing healthcare cover with no medical underwriting for colleagues and their families.
• Access to remote GP and nurse services, physiotherapy, and mental health support.
• MyHealthcare Allowance, an annual allowance which is redeemable against a menu of Bupa healthcare products.
• Early access to your earned wages through Wagestream.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• And many more, just ask…

If you or someone you know would be interested in working with a dynamic and expanding healthcare business, with lots of support on offer, great benefits and friendly teams, we would love to hear from you!

To find out more about working with us, find us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Here you’ll be welcomed. We champion diversity and we understand the importance of our people representing the communities and customers we serve. You’ll find an inclusive environment where you can be yourself and where everyone is driven by the same purpose – helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.  

Bupa takes pride in being a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and will aim to offer an interview/assessment to disabled applicants who best meet the minimum criteria for the role. We are committed to ensuring you are treated fairly during the recruitment process and offer reasonable adjustments to anyone who may benefit from accommodations to the recruitment process.

Bupa Dental Care is an equal opportunities employer.